Apparatus for extracting metal from ore and the like



I H. H. GODFREY. 1 APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING METAL FROM ORE AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV= 11. I920.

13013 9, Patented Deli-27,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- irrr:

H. H. GODFREY. APPARATUS FOR' EXTRACTING METAL FROM ORE AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV; I1, 1920.

Patented Dec. 27, 1921'.

HAROLD H. GODFREY, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING METAL FROM ORE AND THE LIKE.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed November 11, 1920. Serial No. 423,451.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I HAROLD H, GODFREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Extracting Metal from Ore and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for the recovery of gold or other metal from metal carrying shmes, pulp or any electrolyte in aqueous solution, and the invention forming the subject matter of my present application is an improvement on the apparatus covered by United States Letters Patent No. 1,317,026, issued to me July 20, 1920.

The principal objects of my present invention are to generally improx'e upon and simplify the construction of the apparatus disclosed in my patent aforesaid as well as other existing types of metal extracting apparatus; and to provide. in an apparatus wherein the metal separating action is facilitated by the action of an electric current passing through the electrolyte, simple and efficient means for subjecting said electrolyte or metal carryin pulps or slimes to agitation while the electric current is passing therethrough, which action results in a comparatively rapid separation of the metallic values from the slimes or solution.

Further objects of my invention are to provide for the rapid elimination of the gas bubbles that ordinarily accumulate on the active surfaces of the anode and cathode members of the apparatus, which elimination is brought about by a surging or wave like action of the aqueous solution that is being treated, and further to construct the apparatus so that the density of the electric current passing between the cathode and anode is uniform or practically the same at all points.

Further objects of my invention are to provide relatively simple and efficient means for adjusting the angular plane of the trough or container through which the metal carrying pulp or slimes pass while under treatment; to arrange between the anode and cathode plates of the apparatus a porous diaphragm which will be highly effective in bringing about a rapid and eflicient separating action of the metal; to construct the anode of the apparatus from a series of bars or plates, thereby greatly facilitating construction, installation and repairs of the apparatus, further, to provide simple and effic ent means for adjusting the anode and the diaphragm toward and away from the oathode and further, to provide an eflicient apparatus that is capable of being economically operated in the recovery of metal from shmes, or electrolyte.

w1a1 the foregoing and other-objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed; and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Flgure 1 is a perspect'iveview of an apparatus of my improved construction.

F 1g. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. at is a detail section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates a substantially rectangular base frame that is supported adjacent to its corners by short vertically disposed rods 11, the lower portions of which are threaded and seated in metal blocks 12 and the latter being seated in the upper portions of concrete blocks or piers 13. The upper ends of the members 11 are positioned in suitable recesses that are formed in plates 14 and the latter being secured to the underside of frame 10.

The trough or table through which the metal carrying slimes or liquid pass while under treatment, is in the form of a shallow open topped box and comprises a bottom 15, side walls 16 and end walls 17.

Arranged on the underside of the bottom 15 and near the ends thereof are suitable anti-friction devices such as rollers 18 and arranged on top of the base frame 10 are bearing plates 19 that serve as tracks forsaid rollers during the backward and forward movement of the trough or table.

'T he means utilized for reciprocating the trough or the table upon base frame 10 includes a horizontally disposed shaft 20 that is journaled in suitable bearings 21. the latter being located at the forward or head end of the apparatus and said shaft being driven in. any suitable manner preferably by means Patented Dec. 2'7, 1921.

of a belt 22 that passes around a pulley 23 and the latter being fixed on said shaft 20.

Fixed on shaft 20 is a'disk 24 and positioned against one of the faces of said disk disk 25, ,the latter being proa'rranged slot 26 for shaft andv with is a smaller vided with a centrally the accommodation of slots 27, the latter being parallel with each ranged upon disk 24, the length of reciprotrough, or the end that of the trough may be very cat'ory movement or longitudinally travel accurately regulated.

When the apparatus is set up for use, members 11 are adjusted in blocks 13 so that the forward or head end of the table or.

is connected to eccentric 25 is slightly higher than the opposite end and t us the sllmes or metal carrying liquid, will, by gravity, flow lengthwise of the table or trough and during which movement said slimes or metal carrying liquid will be subjected to electrolytic action in order to accomplish the separation of the metallic values.

Arranged on top of the table or trough and at the head or higher end thereof is a transversely disposed trough 33 into which the slimes, electrolyte, or metal carrying solution is delivered and the bottom of this trough is provided with perforations 34' of suitable size which permit said slimes and liquid to discharge into the upper or higher end of the trough or table.

Arranged within the trough or table adjacent to the lower end wall thereof is a transversely disposed partition 35, the height of which is substantially less than the height of the side and end walls ldand 17 and the transverse chamber or space 36 between this partition and. the adjacent end wall formsa launder which receives the slimes and liquid after the same have passed through the trough or tabl'eand from which launder the slimes and liquid, discharge through suitable located pipes or conduits 37. Removably positioned upon the bottom 15, between the upper one of the end walls 17 and the partition 35 is a plate 38 of metal, the nature of which is such that it will readily receive by electrolytic action, the metal that is being recovered. This plate performs the functions of a cathode in the disposed bars 43 of suitab recovery of metallic values, when it is connected by suitable conductors such as 39 to the negative pole of an electric circuit (see or table and extend upwardl y'throu'gh the end portions of said transverse. disposing bars and there being nuts 41 positioned on said pins above and below said bars.

Secured in any suitable manner to the transverse bars 40 are longitudinally dis osed rails 42,the same serving as a carrier or the anode of the apparatus and which latter comprises a pluralit of transversely e metal.

These anode bars are. arranged parallel with each other and-spaced in slight distances apart to form relatively narrow transversely disposed slots, and which latter are effective in permitting the aqueous solution to surge upwardly through the anode while the apparatus is in operation, thereby removing by washing action any gas bubbles which may accumulate on the undersides of the anode bars. These bars are secured to rails 42 by bolts 44, the heads thereof being positioned in recesses 45 that are formed in the undersides of said bars and the spaces within said recesses aroundsaid heads being filled with a nonconducting material such as tar or cement. I i

It is essential that the anode, and cathode of the apparatus be maintained in parallelism in-order to achieve best results for when so maintained the current density passing between said anode and cathode is uniform or practically the same at all points,

and this is a condition that is highly 'desirable in the rapid and effective recovery of metallic values.

The upper ends of all of the bolts 44 in each rail 42 are connected by a metal strip 46, the same performing the functions of a bus bar and the strips on the two rails or bars 42 are connected at their ventral portions by a suitable conductor 47 and the latter is connected in any suitable manner to the positive pole of an electric circuit. (See Fig. 3). 1

Supported from the end portions of the longitudinally disposed rails,41 is a substantially rectangular open topped frame 48 and positioned in the lower portion there- '50 lead from the lower use the upper portion of partition 35 and said discharge pipes extending from said partition outwardly through the end Wall 17 at the lower end of the apparatus. Portions of these discharge pipes are flexible in order to permit frame 48 and parts carried thereby to move vertically when adjusted toward or away from plate 38. p

If it is found necessary diaphragm 49 may be supported at ports intermediate its ends by suitable hangers m that depend from certain of t the longitudinally disposed rails 42. p

In the recovery of certain metals chlorin gas is generated by the electrolytic action and if it is desired to collect this gas. a suitable hood such as 2 shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2'is arranged immediately over the frame 48.

The operation of my improved metal extracting apparatus is as follows: The slimes or elecerolyte is delivered into trough 33 and discharges through apertures 34 directly into the upper end of the trough or table and said slimes and solution flow downwardly through said trough or table until the lower portion thereof and the lower portion of frame 48 become filled.

The height of the slimes or electrolyte within the apparatus is governed by the height of transverse partition 35. The circuit in which the anode and cathode are located is closed and the current passing from the anode to the cathode causes the particles of metal that are held in suspension in the slimes or electrolyte to be deposited on the cathode in the usual manner.

Rotary motion is imparted to shaft 20 and by means of the eccentric 25 and connections 31 and 32. the trough or table is reciprocated. thereby agitating the slimes or electrolyte and giving the same a backward and forward swinging movement. This surging or wave like movement is ef fective in causing the particles of metal,

earth. sand. etc. to be maintained in suspen-v sion in the aqueous solution, and at the same time the solution will wash across the undersides of the anode bars and pass upwardly through the slots between said bars. thereby maintaining the undersurfaces of the bars in a comparatively clean condition, and removing by a wiping action any gas bubbles which may tendto accumulate to said under surfaces. At the same time the solution will wash and surge over the surface of plate 38 and break up and remove all gas bubbles'therefrom. By virtue of this washing action, all gas bubbles will be removed from both anode and cathode, and this is an especially desirable result. inasmuch as the elimination of said gas bubbles materially decreases the resistance to the electric current that is used in the re covery of metallic values.

Shaft 20 must be driven at proper speed so'" as to produce a surging action in the aqueous solution of sufficient strength or volume to cause the upper strataof said solution to pass in wave like form upwardlyv through the slots between the anode bars.

The diaphragm 49 is effective in maintaining the heavier portions of the slime and electrolyte in a plane adjacent to the cathode plate and any metallic values that pass through discharge pipes 50 from whence they may be taken to and recovered in a suitable filter.

The slimes and residue after passing over partition 35 into the launder 36 will be discharged through pipes 37.

As h'ereinbefore stated the angular plane diaphragm and for the treatment of certain solutions or those containing certain metals an alternating current may be used, in which instance the metallic values will be deposited in granular form onto the cathode plate.

A metal extracting apparatus of my improved construction is comparatively simple. can be very economically operated, is capable of being adjusted and regulated for the treatment of solutions containing various metals. and is highly effectivein very rapidly performing its intended functions.

A feature of my invention that I desire to call particular attention to is the adjustable eccentric 25. the same being relatively simple in construction and easily and quickly adjusted so as to vary or regulate the length of the longitudinal movement imparted to the table or trough.

An apparatus of my improved construction can be utilized for the recovery of practicallv all metals. and my invention contemplates"the use of anode and cathode members that are formed of metal that is insoluble in practically all electrolytes. Obviously the metal used in the formation of the anode and cathode will vary accordingly to the slimes ouelectrolyte that is being treated, and in accordance with the kind of electric current that is utilized. One or both plates maybe soluble or insoluble in the electrolyte.

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved metal extracting apparatus may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a metal extracting apparatus, a member mounted for reciprocatory movement, metal plates carried by said member and disposed substantially parallel to each other, and a porous diaphragm arranged between said plates. i I

2. In a metal extracting apparatus, a member mounted for reciprocatory movement, apair of spaced metal plates arranged therein, said plates bei'ng electrically connected so as to form an anode and a cathode, and a porous diaphragm disposed between said plates. I

3. In a metal extracting apparatus, a member mounted for reciprocatory movement, metal plates carried by said member and disposed substantially parallel to each other. and means for adjusting the angular position of said platecarrying member.

4:. In" a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a cathode carried by said table, an anode arranged in said table and spaced apart from the cathode, a porous diaphragm disposed between the cathode and anode, and means for delivering electrolyte to one end of the table.

5. In a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a cathode carried by said table, an anode arranged in said table and spaced apart from the cathode, a porous diaphragm disposed between the cathode and anode, and means for adjusting the angularity of'said table with respect to a horizontal plane.

6. In a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a pair of metal plates arranged within said table, said metal platesbeing spaced apart and electrically connected to form a cathode and an anode, a porous diaphragm arranged between said plates, and means for adjusting said diaphragm and one of said plates toward and away from the other plate.

7 In a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a pair of metal plates arranged within said table, said metal plates being spaced apart s and an anode, a porous and electrically connected to form a cathode diaphragm arranged between said plates, and means for delivering electrolyte to one end of the table.

8. In a metal extracting apparatus,an adjustably supported inclined table, means for reciprocating the same, a portion of which reciprocating means is adjustable to vary the length of stroke imparted to said table, and a cathode and an anode arranged within said table and spaced apart.

9. In a metal extracting apparatus, an ad-' justably supported inclined table, means for adjustably supported neomee' reciprocating the same, a portion of which reclprocating means is adjustable to vary the length of stroke imparted to'said table, a "cathode and an anode arranged within said table and spaced apart, and a porous diaphragm disposed between said cathode and anode.

10. In a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably supported inclined table, means for reciprocating the same, a portion of which reciprocating means is adjustable to vary the length of stroke imparted to said table, a cathode and? an anode arranged within said table porous diaphragm disposed between said cathodeand anode, which porous diaphragm and anode are adjustable toward and away from the cathode.

"11. In a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a metal plate in the lower portion of said ta- .ble, a frame adjustably suspended in the table above said plate, a metalplate carried by said. adjustable frame, and said metal plates being connected so as to form an anode and a cathode.

12. In a metal extracting apparatus, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement, a metal plate in the lowerportion of said table, a frame adjustably suspended in the table above said plate, a metal plate carried by said adjustable frame, and a diaphragm carried by said adjustable frame and disposed between said metal plates.

13. In a metal extracting apparatus, an inclined reciprocating table through which the electrolyte is adapted to pass, disposed within said table and a slotted anode carried by said table and disposed substantially parallel with the cathode.

14. In a metal extracting apparatus, an inclined reciprocating table through which the electrolyte is adapted to pass, a cathode disposed within said table, a slotted anode carried by said table and disposed substana cathode Ill) tially parallel with the cathode, and a porous diaphragm disposed between sald cathode and anode.

15. In a metal extracting apparatus, an inclined reciprocating table, a cathode carried by said table and an anode arranged within said table substantially parallel with the cathode, said anode comprising a plurality of connected spaced bars.

16. In a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably supported inclined reciprocating table, a cathode carried by said table, an anode arranged within said table substantially parallel with the cathode, and means for adjusting the anode toward and away from the cathode.

17 In a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably supported inclined reciprocating table, a cathode carried by said table, an

:5 said table,

table, a catho anode arranged within said table substantially parallel with the cathode, said anode,

comprislng a plurality of'connected spaced bars, and a porous diaphragm disposed between the'cathode and anode.

18.'In a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably sup orted inclined reciprocating db carried by said table, an anode arranged within said table substantially parallel with the cathode, means for adjustlng the anode toward and away from the cathode, posed between the cathode and anode.

19. In 'a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably supported base, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement on said base, a cathode arranged in the lower portion of said table and an anode spaced above said cathode, said anode being adjustable toward and away from the cathode.

20. In a metal extracting apparatus, an adjustably supported base, a table mounted for reciprocatory movement on said base, a cathode arranged in the lower portion of an anode spaced above said and a porous diaphragm disble over which electrolyte is adapted to pass,

porous diaphra disposed between said cathode and anodef 1 21. In a metal extracting apparatus, an inclined reciprocatory table through which electrolyte is adapted to pass, a cathode plate arranged on the bottom of said table, a frame adjustably positioned within said table above said cathode plate, and a porous diaphragm supported by said adjustable frame and arranged between said cathode plate and anode bars.

22. In a metal extracting apparatus, atacathode, and a a cathode plate arranged on said table, an anode occupying a position aboveand parallel with said cathode plate, which anode comprises a plurality of'mtal bars spaced apart to form gas-escape and a porous'diaphragm supported by said adjustable frame and arranged between said cathode plate and anode bars.

Intestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' HAROLD H. GODFREY. 

